Lightloch's Domain

Life is so full of them, often when we least expect. Some are more drastic than others, but in the end they all have some sort of effect. They don’t call one’s 20s the “decade of decision” for nothing. Change moves the universe, and one’s 20s tend to define the universe of the individual.

So the past year or so I have been struggling as far as being at peace with my previously chosen college major, computer engineering. After lots of thought and soul-searching (okay, so I’m making it sound more dramatic than it should be, but some decisions are very hard for me to make!), I have finally decided that Information Technology (IT) is a better fit for me. Now, most majors involving computers are often confused or misunderstood by most, so I’ll explain some of the general differences before I continue.

The four most common computer-based majors are (in no particular order): Computer engineering, Computer science, Information systems, and Information technology (IT).

Computer engineering focuses primarily on hardware development, essentially the actual electronics that allow modern devices such as cell phones, televisions, computers, etc., to function in the many ways that they do. Other applications include development of specialized systems in tandem with other career specialties, in defense firms or even entities like NASA. In short, it requires a person with excellent problem-solving skills and a calculator for brains. Needless to say, employment in this field is not hard to come by, relatively speaking.

Computer science, probably the most widely known of computer-based majors (albeit misunderstood), is software development and theory. It is essentially the software equivalent of computer engineering, with countless applications in such fields as computer animation, software creation for limitless fields and applications, and more. Employment opportunities range from lowly grunt at the local computer store to six-figure guru at a corporation that owns one of those huge buildings you’ve seen in most cities. Some small institutions that offer mostly associate’s degrees will have a program similar to this one, though often not with nearly the level of training or expertise. A computer scientist that graduates from a good course of study from a respected university will have lots of opportunities, especially with further graduate studies.

Information systems is a business-focused program that dabbles in both programming concepts and business management. I am not too knowledgeable on this subject, but what I do know is that it is the least technical of all the fields mentioned above. This program makes one capable of being a bridge between the world of corporate management and technological development, in effect a bridge of communication.

Information technology (a.k.a. “IT”) is to some degree a mixture of the three other programs. Focus is on application and understanding of developed technologies, with training in how to analyze and implement them into practical applications. An IT analyst or employee might find work, depending on level of education and specialization, in anything from mid-range tech support to corporate super-nerd in charge of managing and maintaining an entire company network infrastructure. A jack-of-all-trades with no hyper-focused expertise in any of the above fields, but with lucrative understanding of each.

So there you have it, a basic breakdown (as far as I understand it) of the four most common computer-based university majors, at least as far as BYU and myself are concerned.

IT does not require as much advanced math or scientific expertise as does computer engineering, and although probably a tad less rewarding initially, I think that IT is for me. I like to use and understand technology to the fullest degree, not necesarily be able to dissect every atom and develop a new idea about it.

I will hope and work for the best!